, 1887-11-04
TREASURES FROM THE BAHAMAS.
The Interesting Experiences of a scien-
tihc Party from Pennsylvania.

tihc Party from Pennsylvania.
The little party of biologists sent out by
the University of Pennsylvania in June
to make investigations and researches
nave returned with abundance of glory
and several boxes, tubs and tanks full of
curious specimens. The primary purpose
of the jaunt was to give the party an
opportunity to determine upon the Ba-
hamas as the site a a biological marine
station that the university desires to estab-
lish, and hopes to nave in existence within
three years. 1t already has a considerable
fund for that purpose.
The residence of the party during their
stay was at a comfortable house three
miles from Nassau, almost upon the
waters edge. They lived in community,
each member taking charge of the men
in turn. The cost was extremely modest.
The men went to work at once, taking
advantage of such assistance as the people
roundabout could afford. Ayoung boat
man and diver named Brown was found
to be of great use, having already served
three distinguished naturalists.
All the party were good swimmers,
and soon learned to do their own living.
Each provided himself with a crowbar
and e water box, a small box with a plate
glass bottom. The glass, quoting the rip
pies on thes surface of the sea, enabled
them to see far down into the depths,
many times to the very bottom. When
any n saw a bit of rock bearing corals.
anemones, sponges, or other objects that
he wished to secure he tossed the glass
aside, Owed down and pried the desired
specimen loose with the crowbar and car
ried it up under his arm. Practice en-
ahlaG thpn1 oil tp ctou q lD-or t,-,a ,,-la-
water. Mr.. Marshall frequently remained
two minutes submerged. DR.. Dolley a
that any man can remain under water a
considerable time if he will simply make
up his mind to do SO. There is an intense
feeling of oppression at first, but DIR.
Dolley says it is simply nervousness, and
soon passes away.
The men could work in pairs, and
though the salt water dimmed the sight,
they managed to see sufficiently well un-
der water. They had no water spectacles
with them. The water round the coral
reefs is full of tiny animalculae, which
sting the skin, and the naturalists were
obliged to cover their bodies as thor
oughly as possible. AS it was, their
hands, which they kept bare, were stung
into a condition of intense redness. The
party made such Investigations as they
could find time for into the habits of the
sponge, and besides made a four DAYS
cruise in a schooner.
Altogether specimens were obtained of
every variety of coral known to exist in
the region, a number of new anemones
and sponges were discovered, and the col
lection of crustaceans and echinoderms is
complete. The moths and butterflies are
well represented, as are the reptiles, liz
ards, snakes and turtles. Besides the
animals secured, a fine collection of ma
tive woods, some seventy varieties, was
added, and a large number of tropical
plants were potted and brought alive for
the new conservatory of the biological de-
partment. Among them are specimens
of nearly all the orchids found on the
islands.
Several medicinal plants were secured,
and experiments will be made as to their
therapeutic value. Among them is o
curious bean that animals are very fond
of eating. AT first the animals grow
beautifully fat and sleek. But in about
two weeks their tails and names drop off,
in another week their hoofs and horns, if
they have horns, go. Then they grow
weaker and weaker, and finally die of
fatty degeneration. But even to the end
they eat the beans with infinite relish.
There are other plants in the collection
that are used by the natives in the treat
ment of rheumatism and dysentery with
apparent success. The doctors are ''bush
men, =" who rave learned the medicinal
quality of herbs and roots and trees by
tradition. Governor Blake, for the party,
sailed to the Island of Alaco n day and
settled the question as to whether hamin-
goes sit in or stand over their nests, a
question about which naturalists nave
been in dispute these many years. DR..
Dolley says Governor Blake reported that
t1amingoes sit in their nests like other
birds. The party went swimming at
night in a wonderful phosphorescent
lake. AT every stroke the swimmers
created waves of fire, and when they
climbed out upon their boat their bodies
seemed to be covered with myriads of
flaming sparks. The 'sparks, " of course,
were myriads of %copepods, the little glow
ing creatures who give the appearance of
fire to the surface of the lake.
Some skulls of the Luycayans, the
original inhabitants of the island, who
were eXterminated within thirty years
after their discovery by Columbus, were
found in a cav One of them will be
presented to the Academy of Natural Sci
ences here. Most of the biological speci-
mems will be placed in the museum of
the department at the university .-Phila-
delphia Times.